Interesting prompts ...
to start a conversation going ...
as and when you might need one ...
a diversion to talk about

Sunday, 31 March 2019

We are the World Blogfest # 23: Mothering Sunday and BookAid International …

#WAWTB falls today on Mothering Sunday in the UK … the
fourth Sunday in Lent, then in three weeks it will be Easter Sunday …

… originally people would visit their “mother church” and
anyone who did this commonly was said to have gone “a-mothering” … in time
Mothering Sunday became a day when domestic servants were given a day off … the
children would pick wildflowers to place in the church, and/or give to their
mothers …

I’ve been without my mother since 2012 … but I have wonderful
memories of Mothering Sundays with the bunches of cheerful early blooms … and
how love prevailed around the family …

Ben Okri in Tallinn, Estonia

Ben Okri gave today’s BBC’s Radio 4 Appeal … on behalf
of Book Aid International – which seemed an appropriate adjunct in remembering
our mothers and all those who love and guide us through life … I know my
parents would have supported Book Aid – we always had books around.

c/o Book Aid International blog

Ben Okri – the Nigerian poet and novelist (often
compared to Salmon Rushdie and Gabriel Garcia Marquez) – was promoting
the charity Book Aid International…
as he, like us, considers books his salvation … as he mentions:

Books give you hope for a brighter future …

Book Aid International sends over one million
carefully selected brand new books to refugee camps, schools … these books are
a lifeline to many …

Revision guides
to help with exams … as their March book featured on their blog and here …

Novels for
pleasure and greater human understanding …

Biographies
for inspiration …

… so
students, who wish, can read every day – giving them the opportunity to learn
and study further …

An example of one of Book Aid's
guides sent out for Disaster Nursing -
which seems to be in dire need so often
- at least there's access to information

Books offer a
life-line …

Mothers, Fathers and leaders are those who can guide
us carefully through life …

Let’s donate a book a week, or a month via Book Aid International,
to give those in dire need and peril some hope that their imaginative minds can
latch onto – which as likely as not will give them a brighter future, and one
which we too will benefit from.

Once again, I've learned something new. This time the origins of Mothering Sunday. And it seems that this is quite distinct from Mother's Day, although the two seem to have become one and the same in practice.

Books are holy icons to me, Hilary. I am not sure whether Book Aid International is active here, but in effect we do something similar by amassing books for recently arrived refugees and immigrants to assist in their transition to Canadian life, and to help them to perfect their fledgling language skills. A computer, or a tablet will never replace a real book for me. I love the feel of them, the musty smell of old books, the illustrations skilfully rendered on different kinds of paper, beautiful bindings, dust jackets - everything about them. Surely one of the greatest pleasures in the world is to spend an hour or two (or three) in a second hand bookstore and to come out with a treasure. Pretty soon we will have no more space for books; we will have to start throwing out the furniture!

We never really celebrated Mother's or father's day when I was growing up, think it all came around when I was quite a lot older. I lost my mother in 2002 and if Only I could have her back for one day we would celebrate Mother's day together with lots of laughter. The best friend I ever had, and the mischief we got up to together in my later years, we were always giggling.

I could not live without books and I need an extra room to turn into a library.

Sorry to hear you're missing your Mom on Mother's Day for a few years now, but if it helps, many thanks for posting this, because with only 2 hours before the end of Mother's Day I was able to send her a note and not be too much of a terrible son for not calling her at a more reasonable time!!

My beloved mum passed away in 2015, and I still mourn her loss daily.. whenever there is something important I want to discuss. She was a professional journalist, so I kept all her amazing books after she passed.

When I retired in Dec 2018, the first thing I cleared out was my library, keeping 200 books that I still need and piling up 2000 on the dining room table to deal with... eventually. Do you have an address for BookAid International that I could send the books to? Or do they prefer money to buy their own books?

It sounds like a wonderful charity, must check it out! My mother used to love going to the library, but it’s hard to get her out of the house these days, or further than the park, anyway. She does still have books.

@ Debbie - that's great ... what I loved about this is that they're supporting refugees ... so they can continue to learn ...

@ Joanne - oh gosh that was a long time ago ... and yes - mothers are always in our hearts. Wonderful phrase of yours ... 'the world should be able to read' ...

We have been lucky to have books and that will to learn more ... I remember times with my father reading - but I'm sure I had many days with my Ma ...

@ Ian - yes our Mothering Sunday is tied in to the Christian calendar - and it is most distinctly different from the American Mother's Day - though I'm sure there's cross referencing too ...

@ Jz - oh excellent ... I see they've got donate new books, and what to do with second hand books ... But so pleased you already support them and will do more.

@ David - interestingly they have just sponsored one young lady who has won a scholarship to Canada ... and are continuing to support her with the books she needs for her studies. It's excellent you're doing your part - and your love of books shines through with your particular interest in nature.

I agree - I love looking at books, any illustrations or pictures ... different papers, bindings, dust jacket - yes everything about books.

I agree 2nd hand stores are a fusty delight to browse in. I did donate a few books before I went to Canada, more when I was there before I returned, and now ... I already have too many - but that's not possible. Keep two comfy chairs!!

@ Diane - we in my very early childhood celebrated Mothering Sunday tied in with the local church ... then it came into its own once we'd grown up - so we could celebrate mothers in general - occasionally Mothering Sunday is like this year - on the last Sunday in March. Wonderful memories you have of your mother ... love the idea of the giggling duo happily causing mischief ...

I know - I most definitely could not live without books. I suspect many of us would love a library!

@ EC - how good to see you again ... you're right about celebrating everyday as Mothers' or Fathers' Days ... that's so important too. Book Aid is a wonderful organisation giving new books for educative purposes ...

@ Mark - Good to see you ... and glad my prompt helped you do 'the good son' thing for your mother. I'd expect Spain to be different with their festivals ... it's just been a special day during Lent that I remember. Also we had a particularly good one over 20 years ago ... when we were all around ... and the Canadian family were over ... lots of mothers (grand and younger!) ...

@ Anabel - oh how wonderful your mother has both her daughters with her ... it'll be a special day for many years to come - happy memories for you all. Book Aid - I'm sure as a librarian you'd know about their cause ... they are doing wonders.

@ Hels - losing one's mother is so difficult isn't it ... I know I mentally talk away happily. Wonderful to have a journalist as a mother ... no wonder you know so much.

Retiring can be really helpful - giving us a chance to clear things out and have a good tidy up. Gosh - lots of books waiting to be donated.

Book Aid - give new books and like dontations, but there's also a link for 2nd hand books - check out the book aid site (https://bookaid.org/support-us/donate-books/) ... or

Discover Books was the organisation I came across in Canada - that I've seen since being back in the UK ... see my post with links http://positiveletters.blogspot.com/2018/09/we-are-world-blogfest-18-discover-books.html

Good luck ... and I hope both these organisations can benefit from your generosity ...

@ Sue - yes please ... remember Book Aid as a place to donate so they can support all peoples with new books.

Difficult for your mother ... sadly sometimes life is like that - but she gave you her great love of books - which we now see via your teaching and your love of books ...

Thanks so much to you all - books are a necessity to us ... I still prefer them to the screen, but I'd listen to them on long journeys ... but curled up with a book is best! Cheers and have a good week ... happy days all A-Zers ...Hilary

Thanks for sharing about Book Aid. I'd never heard of it. A good cause with hopefully good results... I didn't know about "Mothering Sunday." What a lovely tradition. Do you think that might be how "Mother's Day" started?

Call me old fashioned, but I really don't like the term Mother's Day being applied to Mothering Sunday. This year I found it harder than ever to find a suitable card to give to my Mother. As for book aid - a brilliant and worthy cause.

I remember a tradition in our church growing up where women would wear a white rose if their mother was deceased or a red one if she was living (for Mother's Day). Lots of traditions with moms and flowers!

"Mothering Sunday" is a new concept to me Hilary - so interesting. I love the Book Aid International project. Books are hugely important in my mind, and accessibility for all is one of things I think we should all be working towards. Thanks for sharing this!

@ Lisa – Book Aid International is a charity I hadn’t come across … so was interested to see their approach. Mothering Sunday is tied in to the Christian calendar … so predates American secular thinking. Our traditions and early beliefs tend to get swept up by the American choices – such is the way of the world.

@ Keith – no, I quite agree re the choice of term … particularly bearing in mind what I’ve mentioned above to Lisa. I hate the use of the world ‘mum’ for mother – appals me! Book Aid is good isn’t it …

@ Dan – so pleased I joined in with #WAWTB … there’s a lot to post about – but I just wanted something ‘quiet’ after the horror of Christchurch. Book Aid’s approach to sending out new books from publishers makes sense – an up-to-date clean copy for the recipient/s … I thought the Nursing one for the disaster areas was just brilliant.

@ Elizabeth – yes Book Aid is excellent and I was so pleased I heard Ben Okri’s Radio 4 appeal.

Interesting to learn about your tradition for women to wear a white rose, should their mother have recently died; or a red one, if still living, for the American secular Mother’s Day.

This reply will give more information on the two days ... one arising out of the Christian liturgical calendar, the American one being 'devised' as a good idea ... as too Father's Day et al ...

@ Jacqui – the power of books just draws me in … I need to spend lots of time reading!

Mother’s Day in the States is a secular holiday … whereas the British one is a moveable feast tied in with the early Christian liturgical calendar … which relies on the solar calendar for the date to be determined.

It’s a complicated (well for me!) subject to understand …the date for Easter Sunday will vary by 35 days since it depends partly on the phase of the moon and must be computed each year.

@ Debby – that’s great you’ll be looking into Book Aid. I always enjoy Mothering Sunday … as there’s plenty of youngsters around who need extra mothers!

@ Jo – I’d sorted of hoped people would mention Downton Abbey or novels where it’s mentioned about servants having time off for Mothering Sunday …

Book Aid – really has come up with a great initiative – giving new books to refugee students to further their professional choices of career – I particularly liked the Nursing one …

@ Donna – that’s great … as I know you’ll take a good look at their site – it’s your world – with your background in international schools …

Cheers to you all – thanks for being here and commenting and I hope my ‘middle’ comment separately posted above – helps clarify Mothering Sunday and Mother’s Day …?? All the best – Spring is just about here … Hilary

How very inspiring. I must look up how to do that donation. I'd love to contribute! Lovely post, Hilary and Ben Okri has the nicest face! Not that that's got anything to do with anything, but it just struck me:)

@ Damyanti - Yes ... I noted that the books are all brand new and up to date - a recent recipient has gone on a scholarship to Canada to complete her degree - with the help of Book Aid.

Pleasure - I enjoy supporting #WAWTB ...

@ Susan - I have yet to get round to all particpants ... today - but Ben Okri and Book Aid seemed a good one to highlight here amongst authors ...

Reading is so important ...

@ Sherry - I'm glad you've noted Book Aid - they seem to have learning excellence in their corner ...

@ Sandra - yes I felt I needed to elaborate about how Mothering Sunday began from the times of the Christian church - to your secular day of Mother's Day. Book Aid International is a really good initiative ...

@ Val - that's great ... you being in education, especially of refugees and foreign language speakers of the English language, even though you work in the Netherlands - Book Aid would touch your heart.

Ben Okri has just a wonderful way about him ... I love his voice and method of delivery - I'd love to hear him live.

@ Trisha - yes our liturgical Mothering Sunday always set by the Church - but it's always interesting to learn.

Thanks everyone ... so good to see you - have enjoyable rest of the weeks ... cheers Hilary

Thanks so much to everyone for your kind words about Book Aid International - and for sharing the appeal! I'm Emma - the chartiy's Head of Communications. We're hoping to raise enough to send 15,000 books to more refugees through our Radio 4 appeal - and if anyone was willing to share the link where people can listen and donate we would be so grateful (or even donate - just £2 sends a book)!

You can find out more here: https://bookaid.org/r4/. If you have any questions at all please don't hesitate to just drop me a line - emma.taylor@bookaid.org. I would be happy to hear from you!

I remember picking yellow dandelions for my mom. She always said they were beautiful and put them in a cup water on the kitchen table. She left us in 2006. I'm not familiar with Book Aid but I always give our used books to a local group who passes them on to the less fortunate.

I think our American Mother's Day is one of the national holidays proposed by President Roosevelt. Like 4th of July, Fathers Day, Valentines Day; of course all American Holidays are commercial gimmicks to force people to BUY BUY BUY. The sentiment just makes a person feel guilty if they are broke, or just plain unwilling to be forced to buy a gift.

Eh, don't mind my cynicism. I do like the idea of Mothering Day. I'm not religious, but it sounds like a sweet way to reaffirm faith.

Wow, that's really amazing. Is a "mother church" where someone is baptized or is it just whatever church one first attended or the church of the town where someone was born? I mean, some towns have more than one church, right? Is it still more religious than commercial?

I've never heard of mothering day but it sounds nice. Always something new to learn about on your blog. :) Good thing we dong have that where I am in the US, there's not a single flower to be found yet. The last of our snow finally melted a few days ago. We'll have to wait for Easter to see flowers here.

@ Emma – from BOOK AID – thanks so much for coming across and welcoming all our readers … many of us are writers … and we all love books – we also love knowing how we can help others learn to read, or improve their knowledge …

I’ll do another post in due course …

@ Christine – I agree … it is a fabulous organisation helping so many learn to read and/or study further …

@ LD – yes I’m sure I picked dandelions … but definitely remembering offering my parents manure cakes with worms! Mothers and memories will always be special … sadly they will almost always go before us.

I only heard about Book Aid and the way they provide recently published educative books/guides to learning this last weekend – but thought it worthwhile highlighting in our monthly #WAWTB.

Oh I know I’ve got way too many books … and I keep buying them and giving them away …

@ Donna – you could well be right re Roosevelt – but I can find no immediate confirmation of that … just that Anna Jarvis thought it was a good idea in the very early 1900s … and then regretted the commercialisation of it.

Ours is probably almost forgotten now in its origins – but I expect some families will go for small bunches of fresh flowers … rather than too much commercial stuff – but suspect the retail shelves will still coerce them to buy.

Book Aid is brilliant isn’t it …

@ JL – “mother church” locally … is the local church around the community – be it Anglican (my denomination), Catholic, Baptist, etc (possibly here in Eastbourne over 15 different main denominations) … but referring to the very early settlements – which could be over 1,000 years old – hence ‘mother church’ … which would be the first Christian churches in each settlement.

So Mothering Sunday is liturgical going back to very early times – possibly as far back as Saxon (when Christianity arrived in Britain) days. However as with all things commercialisation creeps in or gets swept in … but each family applies their own standards … and hopefully doesn’t waste money on superfluous things …

@ Denise – I know … they hope for cash donations so they can buy more new recently published books, which can help refugee/impoverished students learn and improve their knowledge.

@ Simon – Ben Okri certainly seems to be getting around … I do hear about him quite often – he’s an engaging chap, as well as being a great advocate for literature of all sorts.

He’s at a great many of the literature festivals – I’ve just heard he was at Oxford recently …

@ Jean – Mothering Sunday – a gentle religious festival … especially in those days of yore. Maybe that’s why Anna Jarvis moved the American one to May … it’d make sense – at least you’d have flowers across the country. I gather the later snow has given some of you a nasty shock this year … I’m glad I’m back here in little old England – for all its woes!

Cheers to you – thanks so much for coming over and being interested in Mothering Sunday, Mother’s Day being the American one and then Book Aid – such a great cause that ‘us bloggers’ will positively support … all the best - Hilary

Oh what a wonderful concept..Mothering Sunday. Here in Minnesota II've been somewhat doing that. Though I just say "after fifty some years absence I now have gone back to my religious roots as a child...:)

Books are the greatest gifts in the world. This is certainly an organization that is doing an amazing job of getting books into the hands of those who need them. You're wonderful to feature them here on your blog, bringing attention to them.

I love the idea of "gone a-mothering.” We should have more days that give us time to pick wildflowers and appreciate those we love.

I hadn't heard the term 'Mothering Sunday.' I am thinking of my mom and how she is far away and getting up there in age. I may ask her if she wants to come stay with us, but I don't want her to feel pressured to do so (she is always so busy and has so many friends where she is). We shall see how it goes.

I lost my mother in August of 2018. My emptiness continues, Hilary. It will never be filled. Good Mothers are so needed in today's society. I was blessed to have a short essay of my mother's sage advice in the recent Chicken Soup for the Soul edition: Mom Knows Best released in March 2019. I wish she were around to see it. All my best to you, Hilary. Thanks for another great post.

@ Ray - I'm pleased you've been able to find those roots again .. the soft reassurances are wonderful and will help you along this difficult journey you're experiencing now ...

@ Lee - I'm pleased I looked into Ben Okri's appeal on BBC Radio 4 - as I hadn't come across the organisation that obviously looks to the future for students who need up to date books for their studies.

Yes - gone "a-mothering" conjures up a delightful early world ... small bunches of flowers for our beloved mothers ...

@ Mark - you're right there ... parents and children go hand-in-hand; while memories stay with us ...

@ Lee - Mothering Sunday is our religious day and has been with us for many centuries ... as times changed it became associated with domestic workers being given the day off to go to see their families. I know losing our mother is so so difficult ... like you I really miss our talks and times together ...

@ Marja - it looks like NZ as with other countries have adopted Mother's Day after the American introduction in the early 20th century - while I'm sure Mothering Sunday as part of the liturgical calendar is still honoured. Books and being able to read and study really do change people's lives ... so true.

@ Nick - yes lots of traditions and roots of culture that get entwined as each era moves forward in time. Books International seems to be a great cause to support ...

@ Rosey - it's wonderful you're thinking of being able to support your mother by asking her to join you ... the challenges of age - when to move and how much independence to keep. I'm sure you'll both make the right decision ... and your mother will be delighted to know she's loved and that there's always room with you. Wonderful she's still so independent ...

@ Victoria - I am so sorry it was so recent you lost your mother ... and I can imagine the emptiness you hold. You're right mothers who help their own and others are so worthwhile.

My mom started reading to me at a very early age, and my love of books grew and grew until they almost have taken over the house(lol) I just can't imagine a world without books. It saddens me that there are still so many people in the world who don't know the joy of reading and have never been taught to read. May your day be as special as you are! Hugs...RO

Hello Hilary,I hadn't heard of Mothering Sunday, before. Learnt something new.Also, thank you for introducing me to Book Aid International. What a nice wonderful way to spread cheer. Books are a wonderful window to the world, and perhaps the best gift to someone.I shall check out the link.Take care.

@ Ro ... yes - we are lucky aren't we that our parents read to us and encouraged our learning. I too can't imagine not having books around. Book Aid International seems to be a wonderful resource for those who desperately need to study and keep up to date - with no access to libraries or books in general.

@ Sandra - you're right ... they do give us a brighter future - opening up so many doors to us ...

@ Pradeep - good to see you ... and am glad this Mothering Sunday post lets you know about our Church's traditions.Book Aid is brilliant isn't it ... and I'm glad you had a look around their site - just encouraging and helping refugees particularly to study ...

@ Betsy - yes as you mention your secular American Mother's Day is in May.Excellent to know your husband is a great reader and sits on your local library's board ... must be so interesting for him. Books are so essential to promote ... I can't do without them.

Thanks so much - good to see you all ... I'll be back in the land of the blog-living shortly! Warmer weather coming along too - cheers Hilary

Hi Jess - yes mothers are very special - I remember your secular American Mother's Day ... and I too would spend as much time with my Ma as I could, even though she was so ill for over 5 years I was able to talk to her and see her not every day, but very often - at least 75%.

Book Aid seems to be doing wonderful things for those impoverished and without books ... I keep seeing their stories ... thanks for spreading the word for them.

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About Me

A lover of life – who after London, spent time in South Africa; an administrator, sports lover, who enjoys cooking and entertaining ... who through her mother’s illness found a new passion – writing, in particular blogging; which provides an opportunity for future exploration, by the daughter, who has (in her 3rd age years) found a love of historical education. Curiosity didn’t kill this cat – interaction is the key! Now moved to Vancouver Island, Canada for 'a while' - not forever ...